Diabetes maintenance can be extremely difficult for the patient, there are several different health supplements for diabetes which will help maintain insulin and blood sugar levels, if used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise. Before beginning any new supplement, exercise program or diet- please consult with your physician. It's a good idea to work with a physician to help maintain your insulin and blood sugar levels, and to help control diabetes in general. Diabetes can be deadly, so if at any point- regardless of whether you are using traditional medicine or alternative remedies- your symptoms worsen, then please contact your physician immediately! New, different, or an increase in symptoms could mean your condition is worsening.
As far as some general herbal health supplements for diabetes, there are several out there that will help control blood sugar, insulin levels, and increase your body's ability to properly use insulin. Chromium is a wonderful supplement, often used in the form of "chromium picolinate" for weight loss, but when used for supplementing for diabetes, Chromium makes your body's cells more sensitive to insulin, which will help your body make proper use of insulin. A lot of people with Type 2 Diabetes have a chromium deficiency, which makes the symptoms of diabetes less once Chromium is started in most people.
Evening Primrose Oil is a good herbal remedy for one of the most common complications of diabetes, called "neuropathy." When a person with diabetes has difficulty converting linoleic acid into GLA, circulation problems result because GLA deficiency causes less oxygen to reach the nerves in a person's neurosystem. Evening Primrose oil helps with this because Evening Primrose oil is a direct source of GLA. It is for this reason that Evening Primrose Oil is one of the best health supplements for diabetes. It's suspected that taking Evening Primrose Oil before symptoms of neuropathy caused by diabetes start, will actually help prevent diabetes-related neuropathy.
Other good herbal supplements include aloe vera (the juice or capsules containing aloe powder), antioxidants (commonly found in capsule or pill form, or even in tea form), burdock, biotin, coenzyme Q10, dandelion (found in tea or capsule/caplet form, most common is the tea form), DHEA, fiber, ginseng, l-carnitine, magnesium, onions, vitamins C and E. There are many health supplements for diabetes, and several of the herbal remedies have been known to be very effective. It's just important to remember, before starting any kind of supplement or medication- whether herbal or traditional- consult with your physician and a naturopath before beginning any new supplements.
Just like traditional medications and treatments, herbal remedies can- and do- interact with one another and also with traditional medications. The best way to control diabetes is with your physician's guidance, educating yourself, and by making sure you take care of your general over-all health and well-being. A balanced diet, exercise, and education are the best health suppliments for diabetes that there are. Follow the advice of your physician and/or a naturopath to determine which other supplements or herbal remedies are right for you.
Lucy Bushman is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucy_Bushman
Friday, November 7, 2008
What is Diabetes Type 2?
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. Some people are born with this condition or has the onset of diabetes at an early age. This is called juvenile diabetes or type 1. Type 1 diabetes usually requires insulin injections. The onset of diabetes later in life is called type 2. Type 2 diabetes can be treated and in most cases prevented with simple lifestyle changes.
There have been several factors in the cause of diabetes type 2, but none are definitive. Some studies indicate heredity, obesity, and living a sedentary lifestyle. Also, there are insulin abnormalities that can be the cause of diabetes type 2.
Insulin Abnormalities-
Muscle cells can become resistant to insulin which make excessive insulin to compensate for the resistance. What then happens is a drop in insulin production.
Obesity-
Too much body fat causes the body to work harder to make insulin. Extra sugar is stored in the body as fat, which makes losing weight harder.
Heredity-
Having a sibling or parent who has diabetes means that your are more likely to develop diabetes.
Age-
Nearly 20% of adults over the age of 65 commonly have diabetes type 2.
Lifestyle-
Living a sedentary lifestyle is a cause of diabetes type 2. People who don't exercise at all are at greater risk than those who exercise even a small amount.
Making life decisions will reduce your risk of developing diabetes, and can help reverse the damage to an extent. Losing weight is first and foremost on the list of changes to be made. Getting exercise and drinking lots of water also helps considerably. If you have a parent, or brother or sister who has diabetes, have your doctor check you out. Keep watch on your own glucose levels, and make sure you catch problems as soon as they arise.
Gestational diabetes can also be a cause of diabetes type 2. Seeing a doctor as soon as you suspect you are pregnant will help catch symptoms early. Hypertension is another factor for diabetes. High blood pressure is also another medical problem that is inherited, so check your family history. If your blood pressure runs 140/90 mm Hg or higher, then you are at a greater risk, and should be treated before it can develop into something more.
Knowing your family history and having a good family doctor can help catch early signs of type 2 diabetes. Some symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, unexplained weight loss, or a general feeling of fatigue. Diabetes often goes undetected which can lead to serious complications, therefore it is extremely important to know the warning signs, especially if someone in your family has diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can be treated with medications in the form of pills, or insulin injections. However, lifestyle changes such as your diet and getting enough exercise can be enough to lower blood sugar levels and medication may not or may no longer be needed. Know your body and know your family history, it could save your life.
Lucy Bushman is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucy_Bushman
There have been several factors in the cause of diabetes type 2, but none are definitive. Some studies indicate heredity, obesity, and living a sedentary lifestyle. Also, there are insulin abnormalities that can be the cause of diabetes type 2.
Insulin Abnormalities-
Muscle cells can become resistant to insulin which make excessive insulin to compensate for the resistance. What then happens is a drop in insulin production.
Obesity-
Too much body fat causes the body to work harder to make insulin. Extra sugar is stored in the body as fat, which makes losing weight harder.
Heredity-
Having a sibling or parent who has diabetes means that your are more likely to develop diabetes.
Age-
Nearly 20% of adults over the age of 65 commonly have diabetes type 2.
Lifestyle-
Living a sedentary lifestyle is a cause of diabetes type 2. People who don't exercise at all are at greater risk than those who exercise even a small amount.
Making life decisions will reduce your risk of developing diabetes, and can help reverse the damage to an extent. Losing weight is first and foremost on the list of changes to be made. Getting exercise and drinking lots of water also helps considerably. If you have a parent, or brother or sister who has diabetes, have your doctor check you out. Keep watch on your own glucose levels, and make sure you catch problems as soon as they arise.
Gestational diabetes can also be a cause of diabetes type 2. Seeing a doctor as soon as you suspect you are pregnant will help catch symptoms early. Hypertension is another factor for diabetes. High blood pressure is also another medical problem that is inherited, so check your family history. If your blood pressure runs 140/90 mm Hg or higher, then you are at a greater risk, and should be treated before it can develop into something more.
Knowing your family history and having a good family doctor can help catch early signs of type 2 diabetes. Some symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, unexplained weight loss, or a general feeling of fatigue. Diabetes often goes undetected which can lead to serious complications, therefore it is extremely important to know the warning signs, especially if someone in your family has diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can be treated with medications in the form of pills, or insulin injections. However, lifestyle changes such as your diet and getting enough exercise can be enough to lower blood sugar levels and medication may not or may no longer be needed. Know your body and know your family history, it could save your life.
Lucy Bushman is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucy_Bushman
Monday, November 3, 2008
Diet Ideas For Gestational Diabetes
Women of all ages can develop gestational diabetes, but that does not mean that you can't enjoy your pregnancy and eat the foods you crave. Many women find that, as long as they eliminate sugars and carbs, that they can enjoy many of their favorite foods. There are many ways to modify a favorite recipe in order to meet your specific dietary needs without sacrificing flavor. A sample diet for gestations diabetes is a good idea to get you started, along with some ideas on how to meet your nutritional needs.
Breakfast Ideas
Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day, and making a poor choice is going to leave you either hungry for a few hours, or with elevated blood sugar for the rest of the day. You need to choose a high-protein food for breakfast, since the protein will help you stay fuller, longer.
Some good ideas for breakfast are:
Peanut butter (all natural; one tablespoon) on one slice of whole wheat bread
An egg with a slice of whole wheat toast
Half a banana or a small handful of blueberries with a few almonds when you are in a rush
Most of the time, you will be allowed to have one carbohydrate with your breakfast, along with a food that is high in protein. Make sure that you choose the items that you need to be healthy, but you can also look for creative ways to make your diet fit your pregnancy cravings, as well.
Lunch Ideas
You may be one of the many women who experience the lunch rush, and need to be able to find foods that fit your sample diet for gestational diabetes quickly and with little or no prep work involved. Now is the time to look at convenience foods, which are easy to grab on the go. One of the best choices is fish or lean meats that are low in sodium and high in protein.
Most women are allowed 45 grams of carbohydrates for their midday meal, so you will have plenty of options available. You can choose fresh veggies, turkey on whole wheat wraps with lettuce and tomato, or even a small piece of fruit. You can also consider preparing whole skinless chicken breasts for part of your lunch the night before.
Dinner Ideas
With a little planning, dinners can be satisfying and easy to prepare. A sample diet for gestational diabetes will contain plenty of protein foods, such as steak and fish. Both of these meats are carb-free, and can be used in many different ways. You can easily grill fish and veggies wrapped in tin foil, and then add a starchy side to meet your carb allowance.
You may also want to include an after dinner snack in your meal plan, so make sure that you do not go over your carb allowance at dinner. There are many sugar and carb free options currently available, either at your local health food store or online, so your diet can be diverse and delicious.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Pennington
Breakfast Ideas
Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day, and making a poor choice is going to leave you either hungry for a few hours, or with elevated blood sugar for the rest of the day. You need to choose a high-protein food for breakfast, since the protein will help you stay fuller, longer.
Some good ideas for breakfast are:
Peanut butter (all natural; one tablespoon) on one slice of whole wheat bread
An egg with a slice of whole wheat toast
Half a banana or a small handful of blueberries with a few almonds when you are in a rush
Most of the time, you will be allowed to have one carbohydrate with your breakfast, along with a food that is high in protein. Make sure that you choose the items that you need to be healthy, but you can also look for creative ways to make your diet fit your pregnancy cravings, as well.
Lunch Ideas
You may be one of the many women who experience the lunch rush, and need to be able to find foods that fit your sample diet for gestational diabetes quickly and with little or no prep work involved. Now is the time to look at convenience foods, which are easy to grab on the go. One of the best choices is fish or lean meats that are low in sodium and high in protein.
Most women are allowed 45 grams of carbohydrates for their midday meal, so you will have plenty of options available. You can choose fresh veggies, turkey on whole wheat wraps with lettuce and tomato, or even a small piece of fruit. You can also consider preparing whole skinless chicken breasts for part of your lunch the night before.
Dinner Ideas
With a little planning, dinners can be satisfying and easy to prepare. A sample diet for gestational diabetes will contain plenty of protein foods, such as steak and fish. Both of these meats are carb-free, and can be used in many different ways. You can easily grill fish and veggies wrapped in tin foil, and then add a starchy side to meet your carb allowance.
You may also want to include an after dinner snack in your meal plan, so make sure that you do not go over your carb allowance at dinner. There are many sugar and carb free options currently available, either at your local health food store or online, so your diet can be diverse and delicious.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_Pennington
Challenges You Face With Being Diabetic
Age can affect diabetes substantially from childhood through old age. With every phase of life, there may be additional or simply different factors at play that you will need to adapt to. Dealing with emotional issues in youngsters, puberty, college years, job stresses, family issues and becoming frailer with age are issues that tend to affect diabetes. Being aware that these issues exist is the first step in dealing with it. Know that these issues occur naturally in life and knowing that diabetes may exacerbate them will make dealing with them a lot easier.
There are lifestyle issues that may greatly complicate the effects of diabetes. School, work, family life, dating and going out with friends can all challenge even the most diligent of diabetes sufferers. It is difficult to be spontaneous when you have diabetes but as long as you are prepared and aware, there is no reason why you can not enjoy all the same activities as your friends and family. You will only need to make some minor adjustments and ensure you are fully prepared in case of a diabetic emergency.
Talking to friends and family about your disease and making them aware of how certain issues should be handled is a great way to make them more aware as well as protect yourself in case you are unable to seek help alone. Make sure you adhere to your dietary requirements. This may be tempting not to do especially if on vacation or out on a date at a fancy restaurant. However, most dining establishments will be more than happy to alter recipes in order to accommodate your needs.
Make sure you always take your medication regularly and on time. In addition, making sure you have extras just in case will allow you a certain amount of freedom and spontaneity. While you and your friends are out and decide to hop a plane to Vegas, you can do so knowing that you are already fully prepared with your prescriptions. You don't have to inconvenience others or miss out on some fun just because you have diabetes.
Depression is common among those with diabetes and part of that is due to the stressors involved with adhering to strict routines. It is also based on the belief that you are missing out on particulars in life. While living with diabetes does mean making some adjustments to your life, they do not have to be extreme. With a little planning and discipline, the preparations and maintenance become routine. Living with diabetes can mean living as normal a life as the rest of your friends and family as long as you take a few precautions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Selina_Anderson
There are lifestyle issues that may greatly complicate the effects of diabetes. School, work, family life, dating and going out with friends can all challenge even the most diligent of diabetes sufferers. It is difficult to be spontaneous when you have diabetes but as long as you are prepared and aware, there is no reason why you can not enjoy all the same activities as your friends and family. You will only need to make some minor adjustments and ensure you are fully prepared in case of a diabetic emergency.
Talking to friends and family about your disease and making them aware of how certain issues should be handled is a great way to make them more aware as well as protect yourself in case you are unable to seek help alone. Make sure you adhere to your dietary requirements. This may be tempting not to do especially if on vacation or out on a date at a fancy restaurant. However, most dining establishments will be more than happy to alter recipes in order to accommodate your needs.
Make sure you always take your medication regularly and on time. In addition, making sure you have extras just in case will allow you a certain amount of freedom and spontaneity. While you and your friends are out and decide to hop a plane to Vegas, you can do so knowing that you are already fully prepared with your prescriptions. You don't have to inconvenience others or miss out on some fun just because you have diabetes.
Depression is common among those with diabetes and part of that is due to the stressors involved with adhering to strict routines. It is also based on the belief that you are missing out on particulars in life. While living with diabetes does mean making some adjustments to your life, they do not have to be extreme. With a little planning and discipline, the preparations and maintenance become routine. Living with diabetes can mean living as normal a life as the rest of your friends and family as long as you take a few precautions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Selina_Anderson
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